Jun 4, 2022

Arbutus #MyFirstAutomatic with @arinahzaimah (Part 3)

Part 3: My First National Competition Overseas (National Team - Football) @arinahzaimah

Meet Arinah, also known as @arinahzaimah on Instagram. Here she shares with us her first experiences with Arbutus and how Arbutus Open Heart AR1614SWS is an ideal choice for her first mechanical watch.

At what age did you start playing football and why?

I started playing football when I was 11 years old because I often see my friends playing and training for football. After joining football CCA in primary school, I realize how much I like playing football as it builds a lot of qualities in me that I’m grateful for today. Having a great attitude, working hard, and being determined.

My team was scouted and invited to the Under-14 Girl’s National Team trials! Our journey continued from there to Under-16 and so forth.

Who is your favorite football player? and why?

I would say Cristiano Ronaldo is my favorite football player, mainly because he’s good-looking and have impressive skills. For now, I don’t watch football anymore as I have other interests to pursue. But if I were to watch football matches, I prefer to go for a live match at the stadium because I love the atmosphere and vibe.

My bucket list: To watch the FIFA World Cup finals live at the stadium! Traveling to match will be expensive to travel, especially getting the final tickets but it’s a one-in-a-lifetime experience.

What are your greatest achievements in football?

I had many achievements in football but one thing I’m really grateful for is being the best version of myself and growing so much as a person. Another greatest achievement is meeting friends from my football team as they are very genuine and humble people that you cannot find from school. The journey being a national player is not easy as we will have inadequate sleep, don’t have time for friends outside of my team and sacrificing a lot of things, so that we can prioritize what’s Infront of us.

Can you share more about the overseas football competition you have participated in?

It was more mentally challenging than physically challenging. As it’s so nerve-wreaking being on the field and working under pressure. It’s a different feeling when playing for the national team as we want to win something when we come back home (Singapore). But there are fun moments during overseas competitions, as you get to have roommates, or you have time-off to the supermarket.

My first overseas competition happened when I was around 14 years old, and we went to Vietnam. It was a different experience playing there, as the air was polluted which was hard to breathe especially when we need to run, and it was colder at night. Even though we didn’t win, it was a great experience and very eye opening which I loved it a lot!

Throughout your football journey, did you face any challenges? Or is there any stereotype for women in football?

Yes, I faced many challenges such as not having time for myself and to socialize. I didn’t get to stay back after school to hung out with my secondary school friends as I must go for training.

Being sleep deprived, as I get home around 9 or 10pm with homework to be completed and sleeps around 12 or 1am. The cycles repeat and it was very tiring, but I did not regret it at all because it builds a lot of qualities in me.

There’re so many stereotypes when you’re playing for women footballs in Singapore. For example, we don’t get paid as much as the guys (maybe 1/3 only) and we don’t have a proper facility to train. We don’t get recognized and paid enough even when you’re a top player!

What is your biggest takeaway from this experience?

The biggest takeaway is learning how much I can do, gaining so much experience and meeting the best people who’re not toxic. The experiences I have gained being in the national team helps me to shine out from other applicants when applying for jobs and scholarships.

I enjoyed my time being in the national team which I learned and gained so much experience, met the best people and helps me shines out from other applicants when applying for jobs or scholarship.